Making the Most of Cleaning Supplies

Stretch your industrial cleaning supplies budget
By Denise Brown As you watch your bottom line for your business, don’t overlook ways you might be making the most of cleaning supplies. While this may seem like an inconsequential item to consider, you know your business must be clean in attract customers and to retain employees. So cleaning supplies are an essential item to your business, just as copier paper is.
 

There is much talk today about “green” or “Earth-friendly” products. Initially many of these cleaning supplies were expensive, but now many of them are as affordable as more familiar products. More and more cleaning supply companies are providing green products as a way to help you make the most of cleaning supplies.

Since cleaning supplies are essential to any business, here are some guidelines that anyone with a business can follow:

1. Train employees to use the minimum amount of cleaning supplies necessary to do the cleaning task. This not only cuts down waste, it saves money.

2. Look for new products that require the use of less cleaning solution to do the job.

3. Consider buying products you mix with water, rather than a ready-to-use form.

Buy cleaning supplies in bulk quantities

This is the most obvious way to make the most of your cleaning budget. Buy only the products you need. Consider buying multi-purpose products to save even more money.
Try: Buy bulk commercial cleaning products from Uline. While you can find many of its janitorial cleaning supplies in local stores, Uline offers custodial cleaning supplies in bulk packaging to help save you money. Grainger offers all types of industrial cleaning supplies on its website. It not only offer industrial cleaning products, it also has commercial cleaning equipment as well.

Look at "green" cleaning supplies

Since many environmentally friendly products are coming down in price, you can find good deals on bulk cleaning supplies. Look for reputable cleaning supply providers who also care about their product's impact on the environment.
Try: When making the most of cleaning supplies means buying in bulk, consider that JanSanSupplies.com offers biodegradable professional cleaning supplies in bulk quantities. The Betty Mills Company features biodegradable wholesale cleaning supplies to help you save money on your cleaning supply budget.

Use common household ingredients to make your cleaning supplies

Take the time to create inexpensive cleaners that are non-toxic as well. Purchase the ingredients in advance and mix them as needed to make the appropriate cleaner.
Try: Care2.com offers simple ways to make your own non-toxic cleaning supplies from inexpensive ingredients such as baking soda, dish soap, vinegar and water. This can save quite a bit of money over the cost of commercial cleaning supplies. Worldwatch Institute also has a number of simple concoctions to use for almost every cleaning situation. These solutions are made from safe, inexpensive, everyday household items.

• No matter what type cleaning supplies you choose for your business, be sure your staff knows how to handle the cleaning products properly. Any cleaning product can cause a problem if the person responsible uses it off-label.